After learning how to say hi in Korean, the next essential phrase for first meetings is “nice to meet you.”
Whether you’re meeting Korean friends, attending a language exchange, or traveling to Korea, knowing how to properly express “nice to meet you” in Korean shows respect and cultural awareness.
Let’s break down all the ways to say this important phrase.
The Standard Way: 만나서 반가워요
The most common way to say “nice to meet you” in Korean is:
만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo)
Let’s break down what this means:
- 만나서 (mannaseo) = “meeting” (from 만나다 - to meet)
- 반가워요 (bangawoyo) = “I’m glad/happy”
Literally: “Meeting (you), I’m happy.”
Pronunciation: Man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo
This is the polite-casual form—respectful enough for most situations but not overly formal.
When to Use Different Formality Levels
Korean has three main formality levels for “nice to meet you”:
1. Formal (존댓말)
만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida)
Use this with:
- People significantly older than you
- Business meetings
- Formal events
- First meetings with respected individuals
- Job interviews
2. Polite-Casual (Standard)
만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo)
Use this with:
- New acquaintances
- Colleagues
- Most everyday situations
- When you’re unsure (safest choice)
3. Casual (반말)
만나서 반가워 (mannaseo bangawo)
Use this ONLY with:
- Close friends your age
- Younger people you’re very close with
- After someone explicitly tells you to speak casually
Pro tip: When meeting someone for the first time, always start with the polite forms (반가워요 or 반갑습니다). They’ll let you know if you can speak more casually.
Alternative Ways to Say “Nice to Meet You”
Korean has several variations depending on context:
만나서 반갑습니다
Most formal version
Use in: Business settings, formal introductions
반갑습니다
Short formal version (omits 만나서)
Literally just “I’m glad” but implies “to meet you”
만나서 정말 반가워요
Add 정말 (jeongmal - “really”) for extra warmth:
“Really nice to meet you!”
뵙게 되어서 반갑습니다
Super formal/humble version
뵙다 (boepda) is a humble form of “meet” used with VIPs:
Use when meeting:
- Company executives
- Professors
- Important clients
- Celebrities
How to Use in Real Conversations
Here’s how a typical first meeting flows:
Person A: 안녕하세요! (Hello!)
Person B: 안녕하세요! (Hello!)
Person A: 저는 Sarah예요. (I’m Sarah.)
Person B: 저는 민준이에요. 만나서 반가워요! (I’m Minjun. Nice to meet you!)
Person A: 저도 만나서 반가워요! (Nice to meet you too!)
Adding “Too” with 저도
To say “Nice to meet you too,” add 저도 (jeodo - “me too”):
저도 만나서 반가워요 (jeodo mannaseo bangawoyo)
This is the polite way to reciprocate the greeting.
Cultural Context: First Meetings in Korea
Korean first meetings have specific etiquette:
1. Exchange Names First
Always introduce yourself before saying “nice to meet you”:
저는 [name]이에요/예요 (jeoneun [name]-ieyo/yeyo)
- Use 이에요 after consonants (김민준이에요)
- Use 예요 after vowels (Sarah예요)
2. Bow While Speaking
Combine your greeting with a slight bow (15-30 degrees). The depth shows respect level.
3. Business Cards (명함)
In professional settings:
- Give your business card with both hands
- Bow slightly while presenting
- Say 만나서 반갑습니다
- Receive their card with both hands
- Take a moment to read it (don’t immediately pocket it)
4. Age Inquiry
Don’t be surprised if someone asks your age early in the conversation. It’s not rude—Koreans need to know the age hierarchy to use the correct speech level.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake 1: Using Casual Form Too Soon
Wrong: Meeting someone new and saying 만나서 반가워 (casual)
Right: Start with 만나서 반가워요 (polite-casual)
❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting 저도
Wrong: Just saying 반가워요 in response
Right: 저도 만나서 반가워요 (me too)
❌ Mistake 3: Wrong Particle After Name
Wrong: 저는 Sarah이에요 (should be 예요 after vowel)
Right: 저는 Sarah예요
❌ Mistake 4: No Bow
In Korean culture, physical gestures matter. Always bow (at least a nod) when greeting.
Practice Dialogue
Here’s a complete first-meeting conversation:
Meeting a Friend’s Friend:
You: 안녕하세요! 저는 Emily예요. (Hello! I’m Emily.)
Them: 안녕하세요! 저는 지수예요. 만나서 반가워요! (Hello! I’m Jisoo. Nice to meet you!)
You: 저도 만나서 반가워요! 영어 선생님이라고 들었어요. (Nice to meet you too! I heard you’re an English teacher.)
Them: 네, 맞아요. Emily씨는 뭐 하세요? (Yes, that’s right. What do you do, Emily?)
Beyond First Meetings: Follow-Up Phrases
After your initial greeting, you might say:
오늘 만나서 즐거웠어요
“It was nice meeting you today”
Use when parting after a first meeting.
다음에 또 만나요
“Let’s meet again next time”
A friendly way to say goodbye.
연락할게요
“I’ll contact you”
If you exchanged contact information.
Reading Korean Greetings Fluently
Now that you know how to say “nice to meet you” in Korean, the next challenge is recognizing it instantly when you see it written.
Whether you’re:
- Reading Korean text messages
- Watching K-dramas with Korean subtitles
- Following Korean social media
- Reading webtoons
You need to read Hangul at natural speed, not slowly sound out each character.
This is exactly what Batchim trains you to do. Through scientifically-designed drills, you’ll build automatic recognition of common phrases like greetings, so you can read Korean as fluently as you speak it.
Introducing Yourself in Korean (Full Guide)
“Nice to meet you” is just one part of introducing yourself. For a complete guide including:
- Stating your name
- Talking about your job/studies
- Asking about others
- Cultural do’s and don’ts
Check our article on how to introduce yourself in Korean.
How to Pronounce “Nice to Meet You” Correctly
Many beginners struggle with the pronunciation of 만나서 반가워요. Here’s how to master it:
Breaking Down Each Syllable
만나서 (man-na-seo):
- 만 (man) - Like “mon” in “Monday”
- 나 (na) - Like “na” in “nah”
- 서 (seo) - Like “saw” with a slight “u” sound
반가워요 (ban-ga-wo-yo):
- 반 (ban) - Like “bon” in “bond”
- 가 (ga) - Like “ga” in “garden”
- 워 (wo) - Like “war” but softer
- 요 (yo) - Like “yo” in “yo-yo”
Common Pronunciation Mistakes
❌ “Man-NA-ser bang-GAW-yo” (too emphasized)
✅ “Man-na-suh bang-ah-woh-yo” (smooth, connected)
The key is to flow the syllables together naturally, not pronounce each one separately with hard stops.
Practice Tip
Record yourself saying it, then compare to native Korean speakers in K-dramas or YouTube videos. The rhythm should be smooth, not choppy.
”Nice to Meet You” in Different Korean Contexts
The formality and context change how you express this greeting:
1. Professional Networking Event
Full formal introduction:
“안녕하십니까? 저는 [name]이라고 합니다. 뵙게 되어서 정말 반갑습니다.”
(Hello? I’m called [name]. I’m truly glad to meet you.)
This ultra-formal version shows maximum respect.
2. University Language Exchange
Friendly but respectful:
“안녕하세요! 저는 [name]이에요. 만나서 반가워요! 한국어 공부하고 있어요.”
(Hello! I’m [name]. Nice to meet you! I’m studying Korean.)
3. Meeting Your Korean Friend’s Friends
Casual-polite:
“안녕하세요! [Friend name]한테 많이 들었어요. 만나서 반가워요!”
(Hello! I’ve heard a lot about you from [Friend]. Nice to meet you!)
4. Meeting Your Partner’s Parents (First Time)
Ultra respectful:
“안녕하세요! 뵙게 되어서 정말 영광입니다.”
(Hello! It’s truly an honor to meet you.)
Note: 영광입니다 (yeong-gwang-imnida) means “it’s an honor” - more formal than 반갑습니다.
K-Drama Examples: “Nice to Meet You” in Action
Seeing how this phrase is used in K-dramas helps you understand the nuance:
Business Proposal (2022)
When Ha-ri first meets Tae-mu formally as his secretary, she uses:
“뵙게 되어서 반갑습니다, 사장님.”
(Nice to meet you, President.)
The use of 뵙다 (humble “meet”) shows workplace hierarchy.
Crash Landing on You (2019)
When Yoon Se-ri meets the village women for the first time:
“만나서 반갑습니다!”
(Nice to meet you!)
She uses formal speech with strangers, showing respect.
Reply 1988
Friends meeting each other’s classmates use casual:
“만나서 반가워!”
(Nice to meet you!)
This shows how age-matched friends can drop formality quickly.
Related Greetings to Learn Next
Once you master “nice to meet you,” learn these essential phrases:
- How to say hi in Korean - 안녕하세요 vs 안녕
- How to say goodbye in Korean - 안녕히 가세요 vs 안녕히 계세요
- Thank you in Korean - 감사합니다 vs 고마워요
- How are you in Korean - 잘 지내요?
Common Questions About “Nice to Meet You” in Korean
How do you say nice to meet you in Korean?
The standard way to say nice to meet you in Korean is 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo). This is the polite-casual form appropriate for most situations. For more formal settings, use 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida). For close friends, you can use the casual 만나서 반가워 (mannaseo bangawo).
What does 만나서 반가워요 mean literally?
만나서 반가워요 literally translates to “Meeting (you), I’m happy/glad.” It breaks down as: 만나서 (mannaseo) = “meeting” + 반가워요 (bangawoyo) = “I’m glad.” The phrase expresses pleasure at the encounter, similar to English “nice to meet you.”
Can I just say 반갑습니다 without 만나서?
Yes! 반갑습니다 (bangapseumnida) alone is perfectly fine and commonly used, especially in formal settings. It’s a shortened version that still clearly means “nice to meet you” through context. Similarly, you can say 반가워요 (bangawoyo) in polite-casual situations without 만나서.
How do you respond to 만나서 반가워요?
The proper response is 저도 만나서 반가워요 (jeodo mannaseo bangawoyo), meaning “Nice to meet you too.” The word 저도 (jeodo) means “me too” or “I also,” making it clear you reciprocate the sentiment. Always include 저도 to be polite.
What’s the difference between 만나서 반가워요 and 만나서 반갑습니다?
만나서 반가워요 is polite-casual (해요체), suitable for most everyday situations. 만나서 반갑습니다 is formal polite (합니다체), used in business settings, with elders, or in formal speeches. The 반갑습니다 form is more respectful and professional.
When should I use 뵙게 되어서 반갑습니다?
Use 뵙게 되어서 반갑습니다 (boepge doeeoseo bangapseumnida) in highly formal situations requiring extra respect: meeting executives, professors, VIPs, or your partner’s parents for the first time. 뵙다 (boepda) is the humble form of “to meet,” showing you’re lowering yourself to honor them.
Can I use 만나서 반가워 with anyone?
No! 만나서 반가워 (casual form) should ONLY be used with close friends your age or younger, or people who explicitly told you to speak casually. Using it with strangers, elders, or in formal settings is disrespectful. When in doubt, use 만나서 반가워요 (polite form).
How do I say “It was nice meeting you” when leaving?
When parting after a first meeting, say 오늘 만나서 즐거웠어요 (oneul mannaseo jeulgeowosseoyo), meaning “It was nice meeting you today.” Or use 만나서 반가웠어요 (mannaseo bangawosseoyo), the past tense of “nice to meet you.” Both are polite ways to end a first encounter.
The Bottom Line
만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo) is your go-to phrase for “nice to meet you” in Korean. It’s polite, natural, and appropriate for most situations.
Remember:
- Start formal, then adjust based on the other person
- Always reciprocate with 저도
- Combine with a bow
- Use the correct name particle (이에요/예요)
Now you’re ready to make a great first impression in Korean!
Want to move beyond basic phrases and actually read Korean fluently? Download Batchim and start your reading speed training today.
Related articles:
- Essential Korean Phrases (Complete Guide) - Hub pillar
- How to Say Hi in Korean
- What Does Oppa Mean?
- Learn Hangul: Korean Alphabet
만나서 반가워요! Happy learning! 🇰🇷